Part 51 (1/2)

She smiled a little bitterly. ”Please stay--don't think of me.”

”Again, I repeat, you are too kind-hearted. Never imagine that I can be happy if you are not;” and I looked at her keenly, but she turned away instantly, saying:

”Well, then, I'll be very happy, and will test you,” and she returned to her room.

”Mrs. Yocomb,” I said quietly at the dinner-table, ”I've written to the office saying that my friends do not think I'm well enough to return yet, and asking to have my leave extended.”

She beamed upon me as she replied:

”Now thee's sensible.”

”For once,” I added.

”I expect to see thee clothed and in thy right mind yet,” she said, with a little rea.s.suring nod.

”Your hopeful disposition is contagious,” I replied, laughing.

”I'd like to see thee get to the depot till we're ready to let thee go,” said Reuben, emphatically.

”Yes,” added Mr. Yocomb, with his genuine laugh, ”Reuben and I are in league against thee.”

”You look like two dark, muttering conspirators,” I responded.

”And to think thee was going away without asking me!” Zillah put in, shaking her bright curls at me.

”Well, you all have made this home to me, true enough. The best part of me will be left here when I do go.”

At these words Adah gave me a shy, blus.h.i.+ng smile.

”Mr. Morton, will you please pa.s.s me the vinegar?” said Miss Warren, in the most matter-of-fact tone.

”Wouldn't you prefer the sugar?” I asked.

”No; I much prefer the vinegar.”

Mr. Hearn also smiled approvingly.

”Don't be too sure of your prey,” I said, mentally. ”If she's not yours at heart--which I doubt more than ever--you shall never have her.” But she puzzled me for a day or two. If she were not happy she simulated happiness, and made my poor acting a flimsy pretence in contrast. She and the banker took long rides together, and she was always exceedingly cheerful on her return--a little too much so, I tried to think. She ignored the past as completely as possible, and while her manner was kind to me she had regained her old-time delicate brusqueness, and rarely lost a chance to give me a friendly fillip. Indeed I had never known her to be so brilliant, and her spirits seemed unflagging. Mr.

Yocomb was delighted and in his large appet.i.te for fun applauded and joined in every phase of our home gayety. There was too much hilarity for me, and my hope failed steadily.

”Now that her conscience is clear in regard to me--now that I have remained in the country, and am getting well--her spirits have come up with a bound,” I reasoned moodily. I began to resume my old tactics of keeping out of the way and of taking long rambles; but I tried to be cheerfulness itself in her presence.

On Wednesday Miss Warren came down to breakfast in a breezy, airy way, and, scarcely speaking to me as I stood in the doorway, she flitted out, and was soon romping with Zillah and Adela. As she returned, flushed and panting, I said, with a smile:

”You are indeed happy. I congratulate you. I believe I've never had the honor of doing that yet.”

”But you said that you would be happy also?”

”Am I not?”

”No.”